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I pull her close and say, “You look beautiful,” and then whisper, “y deliciosa.”
She smiles as she bends to hug Matteo. He squeezes her so damn tight. She kisses his cheek. “I’ve missed you. You’ve gotten big and handsome like your papa.”
Matteo grins. His eyes then toggle between me and Beth. I notice that Valentina and Luke are doing the same. So much for slowly spending time together. The kids are too smart for that.
Valentina crosses her arms. “You two kissed on the lips. That must mean you’re boyfriend and girlfriend again.” She turns to me with her sass. “Right, Papa?”
Beth stands and I tuck her under my arm. I look down at her and she nods. I turn back to the kids. “I guess you’re right. That’s exactly what it means.”
Luke’s eyes widen. “Is it because we locked you in the tent?”
Beth lets out a laugh. “Yep, it was all you guys. You made it happen.”
Luke and Valentina high-five.
I reach into my bag and pull out something. Luke looks at it in question. “Why is that baseball in a plastic cube?”
“It’s signed by my all-time favorite Cuban-born baseball player, Rafael Palmeiro. He was a superstar when I was a kid. He signed this ball for me. I found it in some of my belongings in Cuba, and I thought you might like to have it.”
Luke looks shocked. “For me? To keep?”
I nod.
He gives me just about the biggest hug his body is capable of. “Thanks, Dominic. I’m going to put it right next to my bed, so I see it every morning when I wake up.”
He turns to Beth. “I don’t want to get it wet. Will you hold it for me?”
“Sure, baby.”
He grabs Valentina’s hand. “Let’s go swimming.” He takes one step and then stops. He reaches his other hand for Matteo. “Come on, Matteo. Come meet the rest of my cousins.” Matteo takes his other hand, and they happily head to the pool area where it looks like there’s eight other kids already having fun, including Scotty, Dylan, and Brandon.
I look down at Beth. “That went well.”
She leans her head into me. “It did. They seem happy. Thanks for the thoughtful gift.” She pinches her eyebrows. “Is everything okay? You seem off.”
This woman misses nothing. “Just a few things on my mind. I’m fine. Happy to be here with you.”
“Okay. Come say hi to everyone. I’ll introduce you to the people you don’t know.”
Before we can move, Jackson and Darian walk over. I shake his hand and kiss her cheek. Darian smiles. “Dominic, it’s so good to see you again.”
“Thanks for having us.”
She looks between me and Beth. “I hope you’ll become a permanent fixture here.”
I squeeze Beth. “Thanks, Darian. I hope so too.”
I make my way around and say hello to those I know, Reagan, Skylar, Harley, Cassandra, and their families. I meet Jackson’s two other sons, Payton and Hayden, as well as their wives, Kylie and Jess. Their children are in the pool with the rest of the kids.
Jade is there with her baby daddy, Collin. He looks familiar to me. I think I’ve seen him at the office a few times.
She introduces me to her son, Tyson. I smile. “He looks just like you, Jade.” He’s got blond hair and blue eyes.
Collin nods. “I’m starting to wonder if I’m the father.”
Jade turns to him. “I told you, you’re one of five or six guys it could be.”
The two of them smile in a way that I know they’re kidding.
